When I was a young girl playing on the concrete hills of San Francisco, I often longed for a horse of my own. I read every horse story in my local library, and drew pictures of them constantly--but I knew I could never really have one. Not so Connie Rae Strain at age 14. Undaunted by her family's modest means and suburban Bellevue setting (a two-car garage but no corral) she was determined that someday she would obtain a horse of her own—and did.

Connie's amazing acquisition of Shane, her clumsy, lovable, brown-and-white paint, resulted in a charming, funny story full of similar surprises. The book cover says this is a story for animal lovers of all ages, and it's true. I would have adored this story as a teen and I loved it now in middle-age.

Interwoven with the horse escapades is the story behind the scenes, as Connie was a child of divorce, something else many of us can relate to. When her parents suddenly split up, Connie found herself a member of two households, one of them strangely different, containing a second father and a raft of new siblings. Were her parents trying to make it up to her, buying her a horse as a sort of consolation prize? Whatever the reason, Connie doesn't question it, she just sets out to get the best horse she can. Through many hilarious misadventures, she learns to love and accept the horse and her new family, and both help her go about the process of growing up.

The author's voice imbues this story with strength and humor gained with maturity but never loses the fresh, adventurous spirit she had as a young girl learning about life and love.

--by Barb Fandrich

Check out the article in the King County Journal

"We all thoroughly enjoyed reading your first book Perfect Imperfections! Thanks, Connie, for giving us a glimpse of your special relationship with "Shane!"

Bellevue Christian School Mother-Daughter Book Club
Contact: Melinda Larson, Bellevue, Washington

"Connie, I just want to tell you how much I enjoyed your book Perfect Imperfections. I read it while I was on duty as a judge at the polls in November. It was a very slow day for customers so I was able to read the whole thing in one day. I really didn't want to put it down even when a customer appeared!"

--Isabel Rostykus, Bellevue, Washington

"I am enclosing $80.00 to cover the cost of five additional books . . . Please feel free to use the following as you wish: A 'must read' for any horse lover or owner. It will bring back a flood of memories of your own days long gone. It may even leave you to begin sharing with your loved ones your own 'horse tails!' Thanks again for your book, it's great!"

--Sharon Slaughter, Portland, Oregon

"I truly enjoyed reading the story of you and your horse, Shane. The love and devotion you both had and showed for each other was amazing and unusual. Especially amazing was your Pacific Crest Trail ride and his refusal to be parted from you. Your writing flows beautifully and is just descriptive enough to be an enjoyable journey."

--Ruth (Clark) Duran, location unknown

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read Perfect Imperfections. It is a well-crafted and charming book."

--Barbara Gislason, Literary Agent, Minneapolis, Minnesota

"I have just finished reading "Perfect Imperfections," and I feel that I must tell you that you have the ability to put the reader right in there with you. I feel as if I also enjoyed your adventures. I thoroughly fell "in love" with Shane; what a wonderful friend he must have been. I look forward to more of your endeavors."

--Margo Boyd, Sioux Falls, SD

"Heartwarming, complex, and inspirational. This book was an absolute surprise. Connie Rae takes us on a journey with all the twists and turns that life has to offer. She cleverly shows us through the eyes of a fourteen-year-old and seamlessly switches back to an adult perspective, which made it all the more entertaining. What a charming way to remind us all that whenever life gives us lemons it serves humanity to make lemonade. Simply fabulous."

--Amazon.com reader's review: denisene26 from Seattle (anonymous)

"Heartwarming. It offers memories of the good times and the bad. It shows what life has to offer, that you should never say never, cause you never know, and don’t be afraid to try new things. It shows a strong bond between a family after a painful divorce. I SIMPLY LOVE IT. THIS SHOULD SELL MILLIONS. YOU GO AND DO YOUR THING MRS. STRAIN."

-- An Amazon.com customer review

"My first reaction when I heard about this book was, 'It's a book about a horse...how exciting can that be? Maybe I'll read it..maybe I won't.' So I bought the book as a favor for a friend and I read it. I loved it!!! It is a well-written, good paced story that tugs at your heartstrings as you get to know a young girl and journey with her as she experiences some of life's ups and downs. Reading and recognizing familiar areas in the NW was an added bonus. I look forward to Ms. Strains's next adventure..and yes, I'll read it!!! "

--Betty Cruden, Seattle, Washington

"I fell in love with the young girl in your beautiful book . . .of the three additional purchased I gave one to Issaquah Middle School via a friend who is a teacher for the Issaquah School District. They need good literature to read in their libraries by modern authors still living instead of so many of those who are deceased!"

--Helen Koenen, Sammamish, Washington

"I am a neighbor that bought one of your books, Perfect Imperfections before Christmas to give to one of my Granddaughter as a gift. . . . We have enjoyed it so much . . . Would you be interested in giving a book review and telling about yourself to a group of women at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church..."

--Donna Kloes, Snohomish, Washington

"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your book! It was fast moving and interesting, and although decent it wasn't really for children or only for young teens. I had a hard time putting it down, as I kept wondering what was going to happen next. It took me back several years to when I was 13 and a friend of our family bought me a horse. We kept the horse at his place because we were not in a position to afford boarding fees. But everyday after school I rode my bicycle over there to ride my horse and take care of him . . . . And, although I had some fun adventures on my horse it wasn't as exciting or interesting as yours! Thanks for writing such a good book. I wish you a lot of success."

--Ingrid Nye, Littleton, Colorado

"One of our residents, Helene Koenen, came to me about your book Perfect Imperfections and suggested I contact you to come to our facility for a talk and sign books. I am the co-activity director here at Bellewood Retirement Apartments and I'm also VP of the Sammamish Saddle club and a member of a western drill team: Rhythm and Reins. These two clubs would also like to co-sponsor this event. We would get press releases out to the community..."

--Michele Petitti, Issaquah, Washington

"I just completed reading your book, Perfect Imperfections. What a heartwarming, charming, and humorous story! It was such fun to read and I found myself chuckling at the antics of Shane, your horse. This is a wonderful story."

--Donna Stockholm, Snohomish, Washington

"I'm jazzed to hear the books are here! I can't wait to see them and I'll bet they're great. What an amazing thing you have done, Connie.

--Barbara Fandrich, Aberdeen, Washington – Editor

"The book is absolutely great!!! I finished it long ago, and am sorry that I didn't let you know sooner—how very much I did enjoy it!! I'm going to share my copy with a couple of friends but I will contact the 'Isle of Dogs' and order a couple for friends who live away from here."

--Dorothy Weller, Kalama, Washington

"I really enjoyed reading Perfect Imperfections and intend to give it to my granddaughter to read. She has always had a horse and reads all 'horse' books. It is excellent!"

--Jean Behumin, St. George, Utah

"I just loved your book, finished it last night. I'll be waiting for your next one. The part of you, Daren, and Little Mike at Bridle Trails had me laughing so hard the tears ran out of my eyes. You did a great job!

--Sonja Flaherty, Mt. Vernon, Washington

"I am reading Connie's book while I'm on the treadmill at the gym and enjoying it so very much. Doesn't she have a talent for writing! I don't let myself bring the book into the house, or I'd just sit down and finish it. I keep it in the car...that way I look forward to going to the gym every day."

--Jean Oss, Hayden Lake, Idaho

"I loved your book...you have a wonderful talent and I hope you succeed with your writing career. Your love of animals shows. I feel the same way."

--Bunny Woods, Bothell, Washington